Relapse Prevention with Sexual Aggressors

Sufficient evidence exists to conclude that efforts to change sex offenders' behaviour through the use of traditional mental health interventions are ineffective(1) While the shortcomings of traditional treatment approaches have been documented, evidence that specialized interventions can reduce the recidivism rate of at least some sex offenders is accumulating.(2) These treatment programs have a number of important components in common. Among the aspects of sex offenders 'functioning addressed by these programs are sexual arousal disorders, social competence, emotional management, victim empathy and resolution of personal sexual victimization.